Dodgers dismiss GM DePodesta

BASEBALL - The Beat

Paul DePodesta was fired as general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.

Team owner Frank McCourt cited the team's lack of success as the reason DePodesta was let go.

"Our high expectations were not met," McCourt said.

McCourt hired DePodesta after buying the team in January 2004 from News Corp. The Dodgers won the NL West title in his first season, but DePodesta riled fans by trading popular catcher Paul Lo Duca and two other players at midseason.

The Dodgers went 71-91 this season, the team's worst record since 1992 and second poorest since moving to Los Angeles in 1958.

The team has been without a manager since Oct. 3, when the Dodgers and Jim Tracy agreed to cut ties. Tracy was hired eight days later to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates.

As late as last week, DePodesta was interviewing candidates for the manager's job, including former Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershisher.

McCourt said the Dodgers search for a new manager will be put on hold while the team searches for a new GM.

Ramirez wants out, again

The Boston Globe, citing a team source, reported that Geno Mato, a representative of Boston's Manny Ramirez, has informed Red Sox owner John Henry that Ramirez wants to be traded and will not report to spring training unless that request is met.

It is the fifth time that Ramirez has asked to be traded since Henry became owner in 2002. The last time came in the days leading up to July 31, the deadline for teams to make non-waiver trades.

McDowell, who pitched for 12 years in the major leagues, was pitching coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate at Las Vegas the past two seasons.

Mazzone left the Braves after more than 15 years as pitching coach to take a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles. McDowell pitched in 723 games -- mostly as a reliever -- during a career that included stints with the Mets and Dodgers, along with the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles.

Padres to talk to Hoffman

The Padres received permission to interview Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Glenn Hoffman for the same job in San Diego.

Hoffman is the older brother of Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, who on Friday filed for free agency. Padres General Manager Kevin Towers said Glenn Hoffman is scheduled to interview on Monday.